EHX LPB-1 question

#1 05-03-2010, 06:05 PM

I was looking at the EHX LPB-1 for a neutral, clean boost for when I switch between active and passive basses live. Real cheap, obviously, and some people have said good things about it here and elsewhere. Trouble is, I've had issues with 2 EHX pedals and my Spector Euro 5. Seems the EMG's overloaded the pedals or something, and they wouldn't work.

Any thoughts? Would be real cool if this thing worked for me. $40 is awesome.

skulletwhip · #2 05-03-2010, 07:22 PM

I use it with an active bass and it doesn't overload it. Thing is though, it isn't the cleanest boost. Although I have never played it through another set up other than mine.

walker rosewood · #3 05-03-2010, 08:48 PM

LPB-1's are super easy to built yourself too. About $20 of parts (including enclosure). It was my first attempt at building a circuit, and I managed just fine. You could also tweak it to be even more bass friendly, or specific to your needs.

If you decide to go that way, there are lot's of great DIY sites that will help you out. beavisaudio.com is a great place to start. diystompboxes.com is good too (with awesome forum).

dannybuoy · #4 05-03-2010, 11:34 PM

You could go the other way and use an EHX Signal Pad to passively reduce the volume of the active basss. I would get a Radial Bigshot I/O:

http://www.tonebone.com/re-bigshot-io.htm

scotch · #5 05-04-2010, 08:39 AM

I have both an LPB-1 and a high-end Xotic RC. Both will accomplish what you want! The LPB-1 doesn't have a lot of input-headroom, however, so a really hot input won't sound a s good (it doesn't 'clip' my uber-hot active Fender 5 deluxe, but it does alter the tone in a bad way).

I've actually put the LPB-1 on a scope & run pink noise through it. It's pretty flat over all! Just a little treble attenuation at higher boost settings- but I don't believe that it inherently clips the signal one bit. It's the components downstream from it that get overdriven!

#6 05-04-2010, 09:16 AM

Good stuff to know. I'll be using the LPB-1 to boost volume on my passive basses. I'll probably never use it for a boost on my Spector, so hopefully I won't have problems with really hot input.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

I have both an LPB-1 and a high-end Xotic RC. Both will accomplish what you want! The LPB-1 doesn't have a lot of input-headroom, however, so a really hot input won't sound a s good (it doesn't 'clip' my uber-hot active Fender 5 deluxe, but it does alter the tone in a bad way).

I've actually put the LPB-1 on a scope & run pink noise through it. It's pretty flat over all! Just a little treble attenuation at higher boost settings- but I don't believe that it inherently clips the signal one bit. It's the components downstream from it that get overdriven!

strke-fender · #7 05-04-2010, 11:00 AM

The MXR Micro Amp works well for me.

scotch · #8 05-04-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhan

Good stuff to know. I'll be using the LPB-1 to boost volume on my passive basses. I'll probably never use it for a boost on my Spector, so hopefully I won't have problems with really hot input.

Exactly! It should work fine for you!

If, down the road, you're pants are hemorrhaging cash- then spring for an RC Booster from Xotic or something of equal quality. The sonic differences aren't as huge as the price differences, but there is certainly an appreciable improvement none-the-less.

#9 05-04-2010, 02:30 PM

Ahhhh, an RC Booster. LOVE Xotic pedals! Have an AC booster I use is conjunction with a Sansamp BDDI for dirt. Works nice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

Exactly! It should work fine for you!

If, down the road, you're pants are hemorrhaging cash- then spring for an RC Booster from Xotic or something of equal quality. The sonic differences aren't as huge as the price differences, but there is certainly an appreciable improvement none-the-less.

scotch · #10 05-04-2010, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhan

Ahhhh, an RC Booster. LOVE Xotic pedals! Have an AC booster I use is conjunction with a Sansamp BDDI for dirt. Works nice.

The Xotic Bass RC Booster is one of my top 5 best-sounding & engineered pedals! Incredibly transparent (with eq in detented flat positions) and quiet. Plus, the Baxandall eq is very powerful and musical sounding (rare, imo).

If you can come up with the scratch ($$$), the RC is the way to go! Btw, the guitar (white) version has less headroom and a different treble eq center. (I used to use it.)

#11 05-04-2010, 03:43 PM

Would really like to know what those other 4 pedals are!

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotch

The Xotic Bass RC Booster is one of my top 5 best-sounding & engineered pedals! Incredibly transparent (with eq in detented flat positions) and quiet. Plus, the Baxandall eq is very powerful and musical sounding (rare, imo).

If you can come up with the scratch ($$$), the RC is the way to go! Btw, the guitar (white) version has less headroom and a different treble eq center. (I used to use it.)

bluestarbass · #12 05-04-2010, 07:50 PM

I run this pedal on my board. Helps me peek over my guitarists 150 watt stack. I like what it does to my tone even though I don't find it to be super transparent. I stopped gigging with my p bass until I started using this and it really helped.

walker rosewood · #13 05-04-2010, 07:53 PM

the LPB-1 can be modded for 12v or 18v. Don't ask me exactly how though.

And yes, it is very sensitive to signal chain. If it's before a distortion, it will definitely send it cranking. In fact, the original ads for the LPB-1 said to put to in a row for a sick overdrive. (the first one overdrives the second one). In the same way, it will send a tube amp into overdrive.

Best place for it as a clean boost would be after all other effects and right before your amp.

giacomini · #14 09-10-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walker rosewood

the LPB-1 can be modded for 12v or 18v. Don't ask me exactly how though.

And yes, it is very sensitive to signal chain. If it's before a distortion, it will definitely send it cranking. In fact, the original ads for the LPB-1 said to put to in a row for a sick overdrive. (the first one overdrives the second one). In the same way, it will send a tube amp into overdrive.

Best place for it as a clean boost would be after all other effects and right before your amp.

Just bought the LPB-1 to match the volume of my lace-sensor powered Fender P-Plus with the other (hotter output) basses.

I was thinking first in chain because I'd turn it on when I'm using the P-Plus to get a little more gain out of it, but I might try it around, specially after the VT Bass (does the buffered output of the VT count?)